By Tony Icheku 


Following the removal of fuel subsidy, and the attendant hardship which followed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's National address today, Monday, July 31, rolled out palliatives to improve the welfare and living condition of Nigerians


Here is how it affects you in Ikwuano LGA 


1.   FG will  spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024 to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start a sustainable economic growth


+ each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1 billion credit at 9% per annum with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital.


xxxxx In Ikwuano/Umuahia N/S axis, the Golden Guinea Brewery qualifies to access this N1 billion credit 


xxxxx In Ikwuano, Harmony Foams and Furniture Factory could also access this fund


2. FG will  fund 100,000 MSMEs and start-ups with N75 billion - each enterprise promoter will be able to get between N500,000 to N1million at 9% interest per annum and a repayment period of 36 months.


xxxxx if we divide 100,000/774 LGAs, conservatively not less than 100 MSMEs in Ikwuano LGA would be entitled to access this fund


3.   FG to spend N50 billion on Conditional Grant to 1 million nano businesses (small-scale traders) between now and March 2024.


+ FG to give N50,000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country.


xxxxx that is 1,300 nano business owners in Ikwuano



4.   FG  will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.


xxxxx Ikwuano LG can grow maize



5.  N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.


xxxxx Ikwuano LG is already growing cassava, we can grow more


6.  FG  to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course.


7.  FG would be  providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.


xxxxx with MOUAU+ NRCRI at our backyard we can use this opportunity 



8. FG had  approved the Infrastructure Support Fund for the States. This new Infrastructure Fund will enable States to intervene and invest in critical areas and bring relief to many of the pain points as well as revamp our decaying healthcare and educational Infrastructure.


9.  The Fund will also bring improvements to rural access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce to markets. With the fund, our States will become more competitive and on a stronger financial footing to deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.



Others: 


+ FG to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.



+ FG to  release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices.


WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE:


i.  All the monies to be spent would be approved by the National Assembly, therefore our JOB as Ndi Ikwuano is to hold our representatives accountable to ensure Ikwuano LGA gets her share 


ii.  A think-tank team needs to be in place monitoring events unfold, taking tabs, asking questions and ensuring Ikwuano LGA is not short changed


iii.  This is time for real work...not for bickering, back-biting and belly-aching


....Ndi Ikwuano, let's get to work.... Ahamefula Development Initiative Ikwuano, ADII, your dynamic Ikwuano First NGO is equal to the task...


- ADII is CAC registered 


- SCUML certified 


- follow us on our website:


 http://www.ahamefuladi.org


- operates Corporate bank AC


- with a Physical Office presence


Present day realities invites proactive manoeuvres, recall how ADII's first ever Ikwuano Socio-Economic Summit 2023 jolted the politics of 2023 General Elections? 


If we dare, we can do more than we imagine is possible. Let's get to work


ADII is willing and ready to work with pro-development inclined Ndi Ikwuano for a better today and greater heights tomorrow